HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Duke track and field team opened competition at the VertKlasse Meeting in High Point, N.C., Friday with strong showings both in the field and on the track. The Blue Devils recorded seven top-three performances over eight events.

The Blue Devils commenced competition with a season-best performance from redshirt senior Michelle Anumba, who won the women’s shot put with a mark of 52-7.25 (16.03). Anumba broke her own meet and facility record of 52-4.00 (15.95), which she earned last season. Redshirt freshman Urina Harrell, joining Anumba in the shot put, posted a personal-best mark of 45-0.75 (13.96), moving her into third on Duke’s all-time list. The duo placed first and second in the event.

In the men’s throws, redshirt sophomore Stephen Boalsearned a second-place finish in the shot put after recording a distance of 55-1.00 (16.79). The top-three finish is the second of the season for Boals in the event.

Junior Zach Robertshaw, competing in his third javelin competition of the season, saw a second-place performance after launching the implement 188-6.00 (57.45).

On the track, junior Shaun Thompson and senior Christian Britto toed the line for their first 3,000 meter steeple chase of the 2014 season. Thompson won the event in a finishing time of 9:07.10, while Britto clocked a personal-best time of 9:14.78 en route to a third-place finish. Britto improved on his previous personal-best time by nearly six seconds.

Junior Brian Schoepfer rounded out the Duke top-three finishers for the afternoon with a third-place finish in the 1,500. Schoepfer, one of only five competitors to close the final 400 in under 60 seconds, recorded a time of 3:48.73, narrowly missing his personal-best time.

In the women’s 1,500, redshirt senior Madeline Morgan earned a fourth-place finish for Duke after finishing in a time of 4:40.49.